Society For Friends of the Trail Sk8 Park ContactUs@skatetrail.com www.skatetrail.com
PRESS RELEASE 19-March-2014 Re: Response to City of Trail Passing on Skate Park for 2014 On March 18, 2014, the fundraising committee for the Trail Skate Park, who have raised in excess of $61,000 in cash commitments for the park from a generous community, were disappointed to receive notice that, “the Skate Park is not included in the 2014 budget.” In early December 2013, the Skate Park committee sent a formal request to the City asking that they consider a reduced, achievable and realistic fundraising goal of $100,000 instead of 50% of the Park’s estimated, $550,000 cost. The request followed the release of the Trail Parks and Recreation Master Plan in late 2013, which included 6 pages of justification for Council to make the Skate Park a priority for the youth of Trail. In addition to a near 50% response rate to 1,000 mail-out surveys, twenty-three respondents and six groups or agencies took time to provide written or verbal comments in support of prioritizing the Skate Park project. The committee chair, Scott Daniels notes, “With the current political situation regarding neighbouring municipalities not renewing their collective, recreation agreements, this has caused a financial quagmire for present and future recreational opportunities in both Trail and the surrounding area.” With that said, he asks, “When was the last time that a volunteer group was asked to raise 50% of the costs for a children’s park in Trail? The committee needs a realistic and achievable goal.” Daniels acknowledged that Council is currently in a financial bind to agree to this goal. The committee is deeply thankful for the generous support of sponsors, all of whom are recognized on the front page of the group’s www.skatetrail.com website. Although the committee has had regular monthly meetings for more than 2 years now, they will be meeting again this weekend to discuss a path forward.